Thursday, September 04, 2008

Happy Quilt Anniversary to Me!

That's right four years ago today I started quilting again! I was drawn back into quilting when I saw a charm quilt at DH's aunt's house made of the aprons his grandma used to wear while working at a hairbrush factory. Little did I know when I saw the quilt where I would be four years later.

My foray back into quilting started with the plan to make a baby quilt for a friend. I didn't know where to start. I did an internet search for on-line quilt classes and found Quilt University. I signed up for their Start From Scratch Class. I never finished the quilt from the class. I had made some poor color and fabric choices and it didn't look good. If you've never taken an on-line quilt course I recommend Quilt University. They have a great variety of classes. The teachers are wonderful and the students are fantastic.

Then I discovered Yahoo Groups and mystery quilts. My first mystery quilt was made for my DH. A Red Sox and Patriots quilt. This was also the first completed quilt top I made.In April 2006 I discovered the world of blogging. I'm still amazed at the multitude of quilters I have met through blogging. I read blogs more than I read the daily news and I never get tired of reading them.

Through blogging I have learned to enjoy my quilting. I have learned about stitcheries. I am learning about adding beads to my quilts. I have learned I can't wait to travel to meet more bloggers. Most of all I have continued to find new friends.

I think the dumbest question I asked in my early quilting career was, "What is a stash?" I never realized people bought fabric just to have it. When my grandma taught to sew we only bought fabric we needed and used it all up.

What was the dumbest question you've asked in your quilting career?

So how am I celebrating my anniversary? After I work for a few hours I will work on some stitcheries and maybe stitch a few postage stamp 4-patches. Tonight football season starts here in the U.S. It is my favorite sport.

19 comments:

Hmm...I can't think of anything dumb I asked, but I remember my first quilting class back in the 1980's, doubting the teacher when she told us that once we started quilting, all our other hobbies would fall by the wayside. HEY! She was right!

I don't know if I have a stupid quilting question but I know I have asked plenty of other stupid questions. I like this quilt. I don't know if I particularly like the Red Sox Patriots fabric choice but thats because they are not my teams. I like the pattern and the red,white blue looke. Do you know if this patterns is still availiable?

congratulations. I think the worst question I ever asked was to a lady who had gotten all her blocks done (lapquilting by Georgia Bonesteel) and hadn't sewn them together. I asked her how she could do that. Over twenty years later, I still have my blocks, and they still aren't sewn together. I still have good intentions though. I just thought, I have about 20 or so, enough for a queen sized quilt, Maybe 4 at a time for baby girl quilts.

I loved reading your post...I share many of the same feelings you do about blogs. I've just discovered blogging in the last few months, and I can't believe how much it has helped my quilting and my creativity! As far as dumb questions...my Grandmother taught me to quilt, and she was a marvelous teacher...I'm sure I asked plenty, but she never made me feel like they weren't great questions!

Is there really a dumb quilting question? Well . . . maybe *s* When I started, for the life of me, I could not figure out how to find fabric that would be big enough for a quilt back. I knew you were not supposed to use sheets, but where were they hiding those pieces for the back?

Whew - I'm reading everyone else's comments to see if anyone was less informed than I.

OK, I started in mid 1970s ... and there was NOT much information. I read and read what I could find but didn't quite understand that there were different techniques between hand piecing and machine piecing.

Wow I recognise that pattern- I made it in tropical brights. I should ask Ann for it again as I'd like to redo it in r/w/b . Though I'm not a fan of those teams (:P) your quilt came out great.I agree that there's no dumb question in anything-Happy Quilting Anniversay!!

Hi Sweet Pea, congratulations on your quilting anniversary!! I'm so happy you found the things that spurred you onward. ANd my goodness, what a huge asset the internet and blogging is. I can remember back to when Bonnie's Quiltville and WWQP were the 'hot spots' to find quilters and new ideas. Seems like ages ago now.I'd happyily answer you question about a dumb question, but it's been more than 20 years since I began and I've forgotten such as that. I'm looking forward to seeing all the quilts you are planning to finish by NYE. So happy to have you aboard with us *VBS* Hugs, Finn

Happy Anniversary, Paula! I'm very happy that you enjoy quilting and blogging. We learn so much from one another.My dumbest question from years ago was, "Why do I need to use a ruler while rotary cutting?" Directly after that question, I cut a very uneven plug out of my fabric and on top of that, I cut my finger.

Happy Anniversary to you! 8-)What a great quilt for your DH! Very nice!Sorry, I don't recall any dumb questions that I have asked when starting to quilt, but I assure you, there were...Happy stitchings!

crazycrazy me...I DIDNT ask questions,, there wasnt anyone to ask! So when I had a top done. copied from a Sears catalog for the waterbed.. I nailed it to the living room floor,used a fat curved upholstry needle to baste it. When quilting it, I had to have hubby help DRAG it thru the sewing machine space,, a rubber mat to hold the machine in place... Lets just say in the past 30 yrs I've learned a few tricks !

About Me

I love to play with the fabric, threads and fibers. I support my habit with a job at national fabric and craft store. Some days I do leave more money at work than I make. I never feel guilty about it. When I'm not working or playing or spending time with my grandson, Mr. E., I love to cook, take care of my home and spoil my DH, the Hotel Man.